Don’t Count Out Darren McFadden Just Yet

The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason moves haven’t exactly displayed much faith in running back Darren McFadden. After signing former Washington Redskins back Alfred Morris during free agency, the Cowboys then used their number four overall pick to select Ohio State’s workhorse, Ezekiel Elliott. To make matters worse for McFadden, the Cowboys added yet another running back in the sixth round when they drafted Eastern Michigan’s Darius Jackson. There’s no way McFadden is loving his chances to be a Cowboy come September at this point. However, I do believe there is hope for the NFL’s fourth leading rusher from a season ago.

After signing former Washington Redskins back Alfred Morris during free agency, the Cowboys then used their number four overall pick to select Ohio State's workhorse, Ezekiel Elliott.

To make matters worse for McFadden, the Cowboys added yet another running back in the sixth round when they drafted Eastern Michigan's Darius Jackson.

There's no way McFadden is loving his chances to be a Cowboy come September at this point. However, I do believe there is hope for the NFL's fourth leading rusher from a season ago.

In 2015 the Cowboys did just about everything they could to avoid having to start McFadden.

Whether that was due to his poor-scheme fit, injury history, or just general questions the team may have had about his talent, McFadden basically became the running back of last resort.

Joseph Randle started the season as the lead back before running into a slew of personal problems. Lance Dunbar saw time as the change of pace back before injuring his knee and missing the majority of the season. And, the Cowboys went and traded for Christine Michael, with hopes of expanding his role at the Meadowlands following the bye week.

Instead, it was McFadden who saw his role grow that day.

McFadden started every game the rest of 2015, finishing with over 1,000 yards and possibly the best season of his entire career.

He showed resiliency, toughness, and willingness to work and fight for a spot on the roster and a chance to play on Sundays. No, he wasn't the ideal choice for the Cowboys but at times he was able to make it work and be a formidable back for the team.

Flash forward to this season.

OTA's are right around the corner, and position battles are starting to heat up. We all know Elliott will be the starter, and the odds are certainly in Alfred Morris' favor to be the number two back.

Rod Smith has moved to fullback and Lance Dunbar will likely begin the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

That leaves two running backs fighting for potentially one roster spot, Darren McFadden and Darius Jackson.

As I talked about in my film review of Jackson, I love his athleticism. He has breakaway speed, and has an ability to score each time he touches the ball that McFadden simply does not have.

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I would also argue that Jackson is a much better scheme fit for the Cowboys, and could possibly fill the Lance Dunbar role until Dunbar returns to full health.

However, Jackson is coming from a small school where he didn't exactly shine through as a star. Rarely will a player stay as under the radar as Jackson has at a school like Eastern Michigan, only to make it big in the league and perform consistently at a high level.

McFadden has two things that Jackson doesn't which may go a long way with helping him make this team:

He has shown dependability as a Cowboy, and he has gained the trust of the coaching staff.

No, the injury concerns for McFadden haven't gone away simply because of one healthy season. But I do believe that he has shown a level of dependability for this team by carrying the load for the majority of 2015, and performing relatively well while doing so.

I will be the first person to tell you all the reasons why McFadden does not fit on this team. I will also be the first to root for Darius Jackson to make a run for the 3rd running back slot this season.

However, I don't believe that the coaches are really ready to let McFadden completely go just yet.

What he can bring to the team with depth and veteran experience at the position may be more valuable to the coaching staff than any extra flash Jackson may show.

Besides, we all expect Elliott to carry the bulk of the load anyway, so the 3rd running back very well may be just a veteran guy who can be trusted in game situations to simply not screw it up when called upon.

And to be honest, McFadden did more than just "not screw it up" a year ago.

Maliek Collins Playing Excellent for Cowboys Defense

For the Dallas Cowboys on the interior, a lot of the news consistently surround the availability of Defensive Tackle David Irving, but Maliek Collins is playing excellent right now. While I'm willing to be very patient with Irving because of the elite talent he brings, Maliek Collins should continue to start for the Dallas Cowboys at 3-technique defensive tackle.

Collins has been a player that the Cowboys have bounced between the nose tackle and the 3T position with the hopes of getting their best players on the field, and because of the lack of a consistent presence at the 1-technique or nose tackle position. Well, with Antwaun Woods taking control at the 1T, Collins has been able to play at the position where he's at his best. The 3-tech.

He hasn't put huge numbers in the sack column this season, but that doesn't mean he's been absent from being the disruptive player he's been through his first two and a half seasons.

During the Dallas Cowboys five game winning streak, Maliek Collins has led the Dallas Cowboys defensive tackles in total pressures with 13, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF combines sacks, quarterback hits, and hurries into their "pressures." Collins hasn't recorded a sack during the winning streak, but he has four quarterback hits and nine hurries. He's tied with Tyrone Crawford for third in total pressures behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory over the last five weeks.

Over the last five weeks, Collins leads the defensive tackles in solo tackles with five and is tied with Crawford and Antwaun Woods with three run stops on defense, according to Pro Football Focus. Collins has also has two tackles for loss in the last five games and recovered Tyrone Crawford's force fumble on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Collins had six sacks in his rookie season when he played primarily as the 3T, which allowed him to see more one-on-one blocks against opposing interior offensive linemen. Especially with the way the rest of the defensive line is playing.

With the Cowboys on the road to face the Indianapolis Colts this week, Collins is going to have a tough matchup with a very good Colts offensive line, in particular, rookie Quentin Nelson. Collins ability to get pressure on Andrew Luck on the interior is a huge key for the Dallas Cowboys this week. We know that Gregory and Lawrence will get their pressures, but if Andrew Luck is able to step up into a clean pocket, it will make for a much more challenging game for the Cowboys secondary.

Collins has proved to be up to any task over the last five weeks and if he's able to keep playing at such a high level, he'll make the Cowboys coaching staff, and the rest of Cowboys Nation forget about using other defensive tackles. For the Cowboys to make a deep push in the playoffs, they'll need Collins to be a big time player for them moving forward.

Amari Cooper Wins 2nd NFC Offensive Player of the Week Award of 2018

For the second time in just three weeks, Dallas Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper has been named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week.

Cooper scored three touchdowns, including the game winner in overtime, to lead the Cowboys to victory last Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. He has 10 catches for 217 yards, which led all NFL receivers last week.

After his record-setting performance during week 14, @AmariCooper9 is the FIRST #DallasCowboys to win NFC Player of the Week twice in a season! → https://t.co/kvBDIeOgBd #ProBowlVote #ProBowlVote #ProBowlVote #ProBowlVote #ProBowlVote #ProBowlVote

As the official website stated, Cooper is the first Cowboy to win the award twice in the same year. He's also the first Cowboy to be named Offensive Player of the Week since Ezekiel Elliott in 2016.

Before this year, Elliott was the only Dallas player to win the Offensive award in three seasons. Cooper has now done it twice in three weeks.

Since being traded to the Cowboys, Amari Cooper has amassed 40 catches for 642 yards and six touchdowns.

His wasted time in Oakland may keep Cooper out of the Pro Bowl this year, but he's already become a fan favorite in Cowboys Nation. Congratulations to Amari for another well-deserved award!

David Irving Out Again for Cowboys, Does Defense Need Him?

Dallas Cowboys Defensive Tackle David Irving, once a key member of the team's defense, will not make his return after all against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. For the second straight week, Irving was reportedly trending towards suiting up before being ruled out. The Cowboys haven't missed his unique presence for 13 weeks (playing against the Jaguars and Redskins), including through an ongoing four game win streak that began with a win against these Eagles on the road.

In that road win, veteran Tyrone Crawford recorded a sack and three tackles, while Antwaun Woods added two for a Dallas defense that held Philadelphia to 23 first downs and 71 rushing yards. The Eagles managed to cross the Cowboys' 30-yard line just four times.

There are many scenarios in which the Cowboys could have cut ties with Irving for not being worth the off-field trouble he's caused - beginning the season with a four game suspension. The absolute best case scenario is what they've realized amidst this turnaround, with other defensive linemen taking advantage of the opportunity left behind by Irving.

While it can still be true that Irving would make more splash plays than the likes of Crawford, Woods, Maliek Collins, and Caraun Reid, this defensive tackle group deserves praise for their ability to step in. Pass rush ability is one thing teams can't have enough of, and the Cowboys are missing some with Irving, finding ways to win thanks to the other traits these defenders bring to the table.

Cowboys Passing Game Coordinator Kris Richard may effectively be the team's defensive coordinator with an emphasis on the back seven, but DC Rod Marinelli's impact is still felt - particularly up front. Regardless of where they're lined up and deployed, the Cowboys front four is expected to be disruptive on every snap, something this scrappy unit excels at.

Prepared once again to play on the edge this season, Crawford is thriving at his original position of 3T-DT. Crawford has two sacks, nine total tackles, and three other hits on the quarterback over the past four weeks. Leading by example with a relentless spirit on every play, Crawford has meant just as much to the Cowboys defensive ends as Irving could.

In a short period of time, the Cowboys have gone from building up Irving thanks to his transcendent ability to make those around him better to simply -- and importantly -- being better across the defense.

Led by DeMarcus Lawrence as their premier rusher, the Cowboys defensive line is a lot for opposing offenses to contain. The "Hot Boyz" work up front has allowed Linebackers Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch to play fast and make plays all over the field.

Maliek Collins, battling back from his second broken foot in three years, is proving again he's a patented Marinelli guy. Collins' play speaks for itself when considering if the Nebraska product is best as a 3T or 1T tackle. Wherever he's asked to play, Collins creates penetration with an explosive first step and can finish at the quarterback with an array of power rush moves.

At 7-5 and fighting for their playoff lives, the Cowboys are done making excuses on the 2018 season. Their strides on defense speak for themselves, and with a group that keeps Dallas in every game they'll play, the door remains open for David Irving to earn snaps again when ready.

The Cowboys don't know any better than their play without Irving right now, and as winners of four straight, it's worth questioning if we'll see Irving over the last three weeks of the regular season.